Sony Aibo (2019)

The Engadget Score is a unique ranking of products based on extensive independent research and analysis by our expert editorial and research teams. The Global Score is arrived at only after curating hundreds, sometimes thousands of weighted data points (such as critic and user reviews).

Engadget Review

The Aibo is one of the most advanced, responsive and lifelike companion robots currently on the market. It looks and acts uncannily like a real, living dog. The Aibo’s AI brain is capable of learning from its owners and surrounding environment to develop a distinct personality, learn tricks and habits; and effectively “grow up” over a period of years. But despite the impressive showing of technology, there’s something mildly unsettling about the Aibo, and it’s not just the $2,900 price tag.

Reviews

If you can afford to spend three thousand dollars on robotic entertainment, aibo is as whimsical as it is technologically impressive. For the rest of us it’s hard to quantify, exactly, what we’re missing out on. aibo may be a showcase for Sony’s technological expertise, but it’s also a compelling demonstration of how it doesn’t take perfection – or even specific purpose – for a robot to worm its way into our hearts. Now, we need Sony to make that appeal more affordable.

Aibo is, without a doubt, a charming creation. But a $3,000 robot dog is not for everyone... Sony's creation shows us how far a robot can go to offer entertainment and companionship. And in that benchmark, it far exceeded anything I've ever experienced before in robotics.

The Engadget Score is a unique ranking of products based on extensive independent research and analysis by our expert editorial and research teams. The Global Score is arrived at only after curating hundreds, sometimes thousands of weighted data points (such as critic and user reviews).